Smoke-condenser for chimneys.



No. 679,666. Patented luly 30,1901. L. E. CLAWSON.

SMOKE CONDENSER FOR, GHIINEYS.

(Applicl-tion filed. Apr. 30, 1901.)

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UNrrnD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEONARD E. OLAYVSON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SMOKE-CONDENSER FOR CHIMNEYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 679,666, dated July 30, 1901.

Application filed April 30, 1901. Serial No. 58,128. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEONARD E. CLAwsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Smoke-Oondensers for Chimneys; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a device for condensing smoke and heated products arising from chimneys and the arresting of impurities carried thereby, so as to prevent their escape into the open air.

It consists of a tank or chamber located within the chimney or fine, having a waterinlet and overflow-outlet, a central passage through the tank for the escape of the products of combustion, a head disposed above this passage so as to change the direction of the products of combustion and throw them downwardly into the water of the tank, and escape-passages around the edges through which any remaining smoke may pass on up the chimney. A plurality of these devices may be employed, if found desirable.

My invention also comprises details of construction, which will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is avertical section of my device. Fig. 2 is a vertical section showing a double arrangement.

Various constructions may be employed in carrying out my invention. I have here shown one which is practical and convenient.

A represents the upper part of a chimney or a cap which can be applied to the top of a chimney, the latter being so arranged as to receive the smoke and products of combustion from stoves, furnaces, and the like.

2 is a partition or diaphragm, which may be formed in the chimney itself,or it may comprise the bottom of the cap A, if the latter is a separate structure, and in any event it serves to support or form the bottom of a water-tank 3, which is located within the chimney or cap, and has a central passage 4 made L through it and through the partition 2 for the escape of smoke and products of combustion. Above this passage 4: is a cylindrical or inclosing structure 5, having a cap 6. The

sides of the structure '5 extend downwardly around the central passage 4: and to a point near the surface of the water which is contained in the tank 3, and thence these sides diverge outwardly and may be upturned, as shown at 7. The water-tank is provided with a supply-pipe 8,which may be controlled from a point near the stove or furnace, so that water can be turned on when a fire has been built and shut OK when no fire is in use. The water overflows from the tank when the latter is full and may be conducted away by a discharge-pipe, as at 9.

The operation of the device is as follows: The tank being filled with water and preferably having a constant supply which causes an overflow, the fire being built, the smoke and hot products of combustion will rise up through the chimney and through the passage 4t into the surrounding hood 5, and the smoke will thus be thrown downwardly and caused to impinge on the surface of the water in the tank 3, so that any sparks, unconsumed carbon, or other impurities carried by the smoke being thrown into the water will be quenched, absorbed, or condensed, and the smoke flowing outwardly under the divergent portion 7 will again pass upwardly within the fine or chimney A, the space around the part 7 being amply sufficient for this purpose.

If desired, a second device of this kind may be located above the first, or any other number; but for ordinary purposes I find that one such apparatus is very effective. It also appears to have the effect of increasing the draft in the chimney, which I attribute to a partial vacuum caused by the condensation of the hot products arising through the central passage i and being thrown down upon the surface of the water. The smoke which finally escapes is thus purified and deprived of most or all of its carbon, which would otherwise be deposited in the form of soot, and danger from chimney-fires is largely averted, as all the sparks will be condensed in the water.

The top 6 of the inclosing hood 5 may be hinged or otherwise removably connected, so that it can be opened to expose the central flue for easy cleaning. Although this fine has been described as passing through the center of the water-tank, it will be understood that it could also be carried up at one side of the tank, and the hood 5 could be so arranged as to divert the products of combustion upon the surface of the water in the tank from one side instead of all around the center, the operation being essentially the same.

or the action of wind blowing down the chimney, as any such wind-pressure is allowed to escape through the overflow instead of passing down the chimney. For the same reason it is not necessary to extend long stacks above adjoining buildings, which would otherwise interfere with, the draft, or to protect them from the smoke.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The combination of a Water-tank having apassage in line with a smoke-flue, a cap above and inclosing the upper end of the passage and having its lower end near the tank, and an inclosure for the cap and tank separated from the walls of the latter to form a smoke-passage and separated from the walls of the tank to form an overflow-water passage, and means for supplying the tank with Water.

2. The combination with a chimney of a water tank located therein, and separated from the inner Walls thereof to form an over- This device acts as a preventive against downdraftflow-passage for water, means for supplying the tank with water, a flue by which products of combustion pass above the tank, ahood or cap by which said products are thrown downward into contact with the surface of the water, said cap or hood having its outer walls separated from the walls of the chimney to form a final escape-passage.

3. The combination of a chimney, with one or more water-tanks contained therein, passages through said tanks, hoods or caps located above said passages and separated from the inner walls of the chimney to form a final escape-passage, and adapted to divert the products of combustion downwardly upon the surface of the water contained within the tank, said hoods having tops capable of being opened to give access to the smoke-passages, and having outwardly projecting flanges at the bottom whereby the products of combustion are carried outwardly along the surface of the water and then allowed to escape upwardly Within the chimney.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

LEONARD E. OLA WSON.

\Vitnesses:

S. H. NOURSE, JESSIE O. BRODIE. 

